Former FEMA Officials Named In Bribery Scheme After Hurricane Maria

The three defendants face charges of conspiracy, conflict of interest and fraud.

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Former FEMA officials who were tasked with restoring power to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria have been arrested in an alleged bribery scheme.

A federal indictment alleges Ahsha Tribble, a former deputy regional administrator for FEMA, took bribes — like hotel rooms, flights and helicopter rides — from the former president of Cobra Acquisitions, Donald Keith Ellison, in exchange for making Cobra the main contractor for the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority.

Jovanda Patterson, a former chief of staff for FEMA, is also named in the indictment for accepting bribes from Ellison. The three face 15 counts of corruption.

The Department of Justice said the defendants used Tribble's position to "benefit and enrich themselves and defraud the United States."

If they're found guilty, Tribble, Ellison and Patterson could each face up to 30 years in prison for wire fraud and disaster fraud, and up to five years in prison for conspiracy, travel act violations, conflicts of interest and false statements.